Justice for Joseph
Key Chief Reporter Michelle Livesey was in Parliament to hear the Criminal Justice Bill being delivered.
The case of a Rochdale man killed by a dangerous and speeding driver has been mentioned in Parliament today as our 'Justice for Joseph' campaign continues to lobby the Government for change.
We're working alongside MPs Greg Mulholland and Liz McInnes to bring about stiffer sentences for road crimes. It follows the death of 25-year-old Joseph Brown-Lartey in Rochdale whose car was split in two when speeding driver Addil Haroon ran a red light at 80mph in a 30 zone in November 2014. His parents Ian and Dawn want a review of the sentencing guidelines after Haroon was given six years for causing death by dangerous driving, for which he'll serve three.
Today, our Chief Reporter Michelle Livesey was in Parliament to hear the Criminal Justice Bill being delivered.
Greg Mulholland told the Commons we must see by next year a change across the board to at last deliver justice for victims and their families''. The MP for Leeds North West said 2014-15 saw 389 people killed in England and Wales alone due to dangerous driving. He said:In some, indeed too many, of these cases, even more so where lesser charges have been brought instead, victims of these serious crimes and their families have been badly let down and we need a number of changes to ensure proper justice is delivered in the future.'' His Criminal Driving (Justice for Victims) Bill would make provision to strengthen penalties related to serious criminal driving offences that lead to serious injury or death; redefine such offences and amend bail conditions for those charged with them; enhance the standards of investigation, both by the police and in the courts; and improve the treatment of victims of such offences and their families within the justice system. Mr Mulholland urged ministers to ensure that in 2017 and not later, we get comprehensive legislation''.
Speaking to Key103 after presenting the Bill both Greg and Liz told us now is the time for change:
To support our campaign by signing our petition go to: